Metro

Police Bust Criminal Hideout In Rivers, Kill Notorious Cultist, Robber

Published

2 years ago

January 14, 2024

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have busted a criminal hideout in a Rivers Community and killed a suspected notorious cultist and an armed robber during a crossfire.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, in a statement in Port Harcourt, noted that the suspect, Silas Oderereke, has been on the wanted list of police for about four years.

Iringe-Koko disclosed that the police operatives invaded the den of the criminals in Oderereke community in Ahoada-West Local Government Area of the state and that on sighting the police operatives, the criminals opened fire, adding that the General was brought down in the gun battle.

The PPRO said two other suspected criminals sustained injuries, while two of them escaped and are now at large.

She said: “In a major breakthrough, the Rivers State Police Command successfully apprehended a notorious armed robber and cult leader, Silas Oderereke, in Oderereke, Ahoada-West Local Government Area.

“Oderereke, also known as ‘General,’ had been on the run for the past four years, evading arrest . However, his reign of terror came to an end when he resisted arrest and opened fire on the police, resulting in his death.

“As the head of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan of Ahoada West, Oderereke and his gang were infamous for their criminal activities, which included armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorized sales of buildings, and brutal attacks on those who dared to oppose them.”

Iringe-Koko said the criminal gang rained terror on the people of the area, adding that they grab landed property, vandalise property, rob and kidnap at will.

She said, “The cult leader would even order the destruction of houses in communities that resisted his criminal enterprises.

“On January 11, 2024, the police received information about Oderereke’s gang’s robbery operation, which also involved vandalizing the property of the late monarch, Eze Robinson O. Robinson. Responding swiftly, the police chased the criminals out of town.

“However, the defiant ‘General’ rallied his gang and launched an attack on a community-owned tank farm in Oderereke, intending to loot its contents. It was during this sabotage attempt that the police managed to apprehend the gang.

“Silas Oderereke and one other member of his gang opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire. In the shootout, Oderereke and his accomplice were neutralised while others sustained injuries.

“Two other clan leaders, Danger-boy and 2-Man, who frequently collaborated with Oderereke, managed to escape and are currently at large.”

Iringe-Koko said the police recovered a G3 rifle, nineteen 7.62x51mm ammunition and other weapons and military camouflage.

She further noted that the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, congratulated the officers for their exceptional work and warned cultists in the state to abandon their criminal activities and renounce cultism, or face the full weight of the law.

Metro

FULL LIST: Police Arrest Suspects Involved In Death Of Arise TV Presenter

Published

1 hour ago

October 9, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects involved in the armed robbery incident that led to the death of Arise TV presenter, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.

According to the police, the suspects are: Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Katsina State, Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Kaduna, Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Katsina, Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Katsina, Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Kaduna and Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Katsina.

Others are Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from Katsina, Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from Kaduna, Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from Katsina, Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Kaduna, Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Kaduna and Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Borno.

The police added that shortly after the robbery incident, four (4) of the suspects Shamsudeen Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo and one other person were apprehended through the tracking of phones stollen from the apartment during the robbery.

“During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment,” the statement read.

“Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

“Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. The four suspects admitted that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.”

Recovered exhibits include: One fabricated ak-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four mobile phones of the victims, two sharp knives, one cutlass and nine torchlights used during the operation.

The police said: “In continuation of investigations, yesterday, 08/10/2025, acting on a tip-off and actionable digital intelligence also provided by us, the remaining members of the gang, Musa umar a.k.a. small, Hassan Isah and other accomplices involved in the Gishiri robbery were intercepted while enroute to an already planned armed robbery operation scheduled to hold at maitama in the early hours of this morning.”

According to the statement, all suspects have confessed to the crimes while investigation is ongoing.

Metro

Reason Benin Oba Market Was Gutted By Fire Revealed

Published

6 hours ago

October 9, 2025

Editor

Barely six years fire gutted Oba Market in Benin, another fire engulfed the popular market late Wednesday night.

The market, which is being reconstructed after abandonment since the June 2020 fire incident, was reportedly set ablaze by a solar panel.

Inspecting the market on Thursday, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, Engr. Gabriel Iduseri, said only one shop was affected by the fire incident.

He said firefighters and security agencies promptly responded to ensure the fire did not spread to other parts of the market.

Iduseri said traders would be stopped from installing solar panels inside the market to prevent future fire outbreaks.

He said, “We learnt solar panel caused the fire. We are going to stop installation of solar panels and check all the electrical wiring in the market.

“I want to assure that we will support the affected trader to get back to business. There is no much damage. No life was lost. Oredo local government was here and we put measures in place to prevent thieves.”

The affected trader was said to have collapsed last night.

Metro

7 African Countries That Experience Snow

Published

1 day ago

October 8, 2025

Editor

When people talk about Africa, snow is rarely part of the conversation. The continent is better known for its warm weather, deserts, and beaches than blizzards or ski slopes. Yet scattered across its vast landscapes are places where temperatures drop low enough for snow to fall and sometimes stick.

1. South Africa

Snow isn’t unusual in South Africa, especially in the Drakensberg Mountains and areas around Ceres and Sutherland.

The country even boasts a ski resort, Tiffindell, where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding between June and August.

2. Lesotho

Lesotho, known as the “Kingdom in the Sky”, sits entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation. That high altitude makes it one of the snowiest countries in Southern Africa. The Afriski Mountain Resort becomes a popular destination during the winter months, offering a genuine alpine experience.

3. Morocco

In Morocco, the Atlas Mountains receive regular snowfall between December and March. The Oukaïmeden Ski Resort, located just outside Marrakech, attracts locals and tourists eager to ski or simply enjoy a mountain escape, all within view of the desert.

4. Algeria

The Tell Atlas and Aurès Mountains in Algeria get dusted with snow each winter. Towns such as Setif and Batna often experience several snowy days, creating a rare but beautiful contrast between the icy peaks and the nearby Sahara sands.

5. Tunisia

In Tunisia’s Kroumirie Mountains, particularly around Aïn Draham, snow is a familiar winter visitor. The region’s pine forests and rolling hills transform into a quiet, white landscape that feels far removed from the country’s sunny Mediterranean coast.

6. Kenya

Snow in Kenya may sound impossible, but the peaks of Mount Kenya are permanently capped with ice. Although the glaciers are shrinking, climbers still trek to the summit to witness the rare sight of snow just a few degrees south of the equator.

7. Tanzania

Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro remains Africa’s most famous snowy landmark.

Its white summit rises above the plains, a stunning reminder of the continent’s diverse climates and a view that has inspired countless travellers and photographers.

Snow might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Africa, but it’s part of the story too. In these high-altitude regions, winter shows up quietly.